Revival Volume3 Issue 1.Indd
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Published by the Israeli Labor Party © 2006, all rights reserved Subscriptions, enquiries, and feedback: [email protected] Editorial committee: Colette Avital MK, Guy Spigelman (Editor), Marcus Sheff February 2006 Volume 3 REVIVAL Issue 1 The English News Magazine of the Israeli Labor Party General Elections on March 28 Amir Peretz: Only Labor will bring Peace and Social Justice “Israel is at one of the most important moments in its history, a moment that will define its future. Unfortunately, over the years, many have known how to diagnose the strategic threats facing Israel, and suggest merely tactical measures, which do not offer an overall solution to the ills of Israeli society. I intend to act differently, and offer the Israeli public a complete moral road map that includes Party Chairman Amir Peretz with King Mohammed VI of Morocco at a recent a political chapter and a social-economic meeting in Fez. The two discussed chapter, which will guide the entirety of the regional developments and Morocco’s political and economic measures I propose. role in the peace process. The chapters are interconnected because there will be no peace without social justice and there will be no social justice without progress in the peace process.” Party Chairman Amir Peretz at the Herzliya Conference on the Balance of Israel’s National Security, 24th January 2006 Election Special Guy Spigelman on the upcoming campaign.................................... page 2 Speech by Party Leader Peretz to SI Council in Athens................. page 3 Ephraim Sneh on the challenge posed by Hamas ......................... page 4 Labor’s candidates for the 17th Knesset......................................... page 6 Party platform in brief....................................................................... page 8 PAGE 1 REVIVAL PAGE 2 The English News Magazine of the Israeli Labor Party The Campaign Heats Up by Guy Spigelman, Revival Editor Israel goes to the polls at the end of March in an election where three parties are fighting for a mandate to lead the next Government. Amir Peretz’s vic- tory in Labor’s leadership primary in November changed the political land- scape in Israel with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon calling for new elections and breaking away from Likud to form a centrist party Kadima (Forward). Since Peretz’ victory the political dialogue in Israel has been transformed as more and more parties present and debate socio-economic issues. Of course, diplomatic events such as Hamas victory in the Palestinian elections and the developments in Iran are of fundamental concern to the Israeli public, but they are not the only item on the agenda this time round. In January Ariel Sharon suffered a heavy stroke and is in a deep coma in a Jerusalem Hospital. Ehud Olmert MK is serving as acting Prime Minister and will be Kadima’s candidate for Prime Minister. Veteran Labor leader Shimon Peres left the party and joined Kadima, along with former Ministers Haim Ramon and Dalia Itzik. Labor conducted a party-wide primary to select its Knesset list. Close to 70,000 party members participated in the most democratic candidate selection process of any party in Israel. Highlights of the primary included the election of former Ministers Isaac Herzog and Ophir Pines at the top of the national list and the placement of 5 women in the top 20 slots – unprecedented in Israeli history. In another first, Nadia Hilo, an Arab-Israeli woman, was elected to the national list. New faces include Ami Ayalon – the former head of Israel’s security service, Avishay Braverman – esteemed economist and former President of Ben-Gurion University, as well as one of Israel’s top broadcast journalists, Shelly Yahimovitz. The top 20 can be found on page 6. The situation is very fluid. The campaign has just started, with Kadima leading in the polls. Labor plans to run a lean and aggressive campaign focusing on two central themes – first on the fight against terror and the battle for social jus- tice with slogans such as: “Amir Peretz: Fighting Terror, Beating Poverty” (see above) “Amir Peretz: Fighting Terror, Beating Corruption” “Amir Peretz: Fighting Terror, Winning with Education” The second theme will highlight Olmert’s conservative socio-economic policies and connection to big-money under the slogan: “Olmert will divide Israel between the rich and poor”. For updates on the elections, plese visit www.avoda2006.org.il, www.jpost.com or www.haaretz.com. Help Labor Win, sign up at: [email protected] PAGE 1 REVIVAL PAGE 3 The English News Magazine of the Israeli Labor Party Speech by Amir Peretz MK to the Socialist International Council Meeting in Athens (Excerpts) 30th January, 2006 Mr. President of the Socialist International, my friend George Papandreou Mr. Secretary General Luis Ayala. Heads of State, Heads of Opposition, Ladies and gentle- men. It is such an honor to be here. I feel at home, among friends. Your kind words, your warm welcome, gives me energy and strength. As you know, I have come to Athens from the middle of critical elections in Israel. In two months time, Israelis will go to the polls to make a historic decision. Because for the first time in recent memory Israelis will have the chance to vote for a true social democratic plat- form that tackles all of the relevant issues. The Labour party under my leadership has two main goals – one, social justice and two, promoting peace. From issues of peace and national security to issues of education and personal security..... ...For too long, Israelis were told that they have to make a choice, a terrible choice – and they were told this by politicians from across the political spectrum. Even from our own camp. At last voters will be able to say: “We want peace and we want the best education for our children. We want security and we want guaranteed pensions for our parents!” I am taking responsibility for making both a priority; and we have a team that is committed to the path.... ...We are facing a new reality in the Palestinian authority – “Hamas” has won the leadership. We are obligated first to the security of the people in Israel and cannot conduct any negotia- tions with any organization that doesn’t recognize Israel and calls for its destruction. I came to Israel and I grew up in Israel. During my service as an officer in the Israeli army, I was severely wounded and spent two years in hospital. I left the hospital in a wheelchair and when I first stood on my feet again I swore to my self that the next war I was going to fight was the war for peace. Help Labor Win, sign up at: [email protected] PAGE 1 REVIVAL PAGE 4 The English News Magazine of the Israeli Labor Party Speech by Amir Peretz to SI in Athens continues.... But a true peace cannot be just about decisions around land and fences and borders. Peace can only be achieved if we ensure that there are equal opportunities for all people: Educa- tion must be accessible. Young boys and young girls must have the chance to achieve their dreams. That is the promise we must offer both of our peoples if we are to achieve a better future. And don’t let any one say that advancing both peace and the economy is impossible. I would like to finish by quoting Yitzhak Rabin : “The meaning of security is not just tanks, planes and battleships. Security is also, and primarily – people. Security lies in the education of the people, in their homes, their schools, their streets and their neighborhoods. Security is the community in which the people grow.” What to do? MK Ephraim Sneh on how Israel and the world should respond to the rise of Hamas The two main reasons for Hamas’ victory in the Palestinian parliamentary elections were one, the Palestinian people were fed up with the incompetent and corrupt regime established by Yasser Arafat and two, the power struggles inside Fatah. That leadership struggle, be- tween those who led the Intifada and those who came with Arafat from Tunisia, decimated and weakened Fatah before the crucial elections. But there were two other reasons: The Israeli unilateral withdrawal from Gaza, which was interpreted by the Palestinians as a victory for Hamas and not as the achievement of Abu Mazen and Fatah, and the fact that the Israeli government did practically nothing to strengthen the government of Abu Mazen, which was identified with Fatah, while some of its actions actually deliberately weakened it. These are the basic facts that we must remember when we consider what action Israel should take: • The elections were democratic and non-violent, under international inspection. So the legitimacy of the elections cannot be challenged. • Hamas is an Islamic political-religious movement, whose ideology rejects the existence of Israel and regards terror as the primary means for achieving its goals. • Despite Hamas’ victory, most Palestinians in the territories do not want a renewed Intifada. • It is impossible to rule and manage the PA without daily contact with Israel. Issues like trade, water, energy and environment require every Palestinian government to maintain a permanent liaison mechanism with Israel. • In the long run there is no way to sustain a modern Palestinian society with a growing economy without economic cooperation with Israel. Israel’s per capita GDP is at least 20 times that of the Palestinian territories. Only through dynamic cooperation with the Israeli economy can the Palestinian economy substantially grow. Help Labor Win, sign up at: [email protected] PAGE 1 REVIVAL PAGE 5 The English News Magazine of the Israeli Labor Party What to do with Hamas by Ephraim Sneh continues...